In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Medgar Evers College, State Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park), together with Assemblymember Diana C. Richardson (D-Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Prospect Lefferts Gardens) and other elected officials, officially renamed two MTA subway stations yesterday for the CUNY school.
The stations will now officially be known as Franklin Avenue-Medgar Evers College on the 2, 3, 4 and 5 lines, and President Street-Medgar Evers College on the 2 and 5 lines.
“Never has the history and legacy of Medgar Evers felt more alive than during this movement for justice and never has there been a better time to honor his legacy,” said Myrie.” As we literally put one of our most cherished institutions on the map, we honor Medgar Evers’ life of service to black people and to our country and recommit to continuing his work today. He was an inspirational leader and role model and honoring his memory at this moment in our city’s and nation’s history is the right thing to do. I’m pleased the MTA is recognizing his life of service and the College’s importance to the Brooklyn community in this way, and encourage everyone to learn more about this civil rights icon and the College that bears his name.”
“As an alumnus of Medgar Evers College and a lifelong resident of the Crown Heights community this moment fills my heart with so much pride and joy,” said Richardson. “Medgar Evers College, like all of the other CUNY campuses around the city, has impacted our community so much so that it has become a local cultural institution. That recognition is especially meaningful as it is happening during this critical period of change in our nation’s history. I am excited to see the community come out to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of the college.”
Medgar Evers was a civil rights activist who fought for equal rights for black people. On June 12, 1963, Evers was assassinated by a white supremacist. Guest speakers and volunteers at the event had the opportunity to a question. What are your thoughts on the Subway Renaming of Medgar Evers College?
Kayla Williams, a graduate at Kean University in New Jersey and a volunteer at the event stated, “Medgar Evers doesn’t get the recognition, it’s a really good school in Brooklyn, but I’m glad to see it’s happening.”
Sakia Fletcher a former member of the Student Government Association and a recent graduate from Medgar Evers College, stated “It’s a wonderful and monumental moment for Medgar Evers College. One that will live on forever, it’s a college name for greatness.”
Brooke Lugo Smith the President of Student Government Association, stated “I feel inspired and empowered that the subway will be renamed. We have a sense of value and worth because you see other City University of New York colleges have their names on New York City train station.
“You see Hunter, Baruch, it appears that those schools have so much value. We deserve our name there. This college is here for their children. But I live here, you should know that this institution lives by and now commuters when they pass by they know that Medgar Evers College is here.”
“You can kill a man, but you can’t kill an idea,” Medgar Wiley Evers.
